Device for dispensing a heated liquid

Abstract

A device for dispensing a heated liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, which includes a dispenser body adapted to dispense the heated liquid, a solenoid valve, and a pneumatic section including a housing coupled between the solenoid valve and dispenser body. The pneumatic housing is formed from a thermally insulating material which may include a thermoplastic polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or a fluoroplastic polymer to reduce heat transfer from the dispenser body through the pneumatic housing thereby thermally insulating the solenoid valve.

1. A device for dispensing a heated liquid, comprising:
 a dispenser body adapted to be heated and including a liquid inlet, a liquid passage in communication with said liquid inlet, and an outlet in communication with said liquid passage, said dispenser body further including a valve element adapted to selectively allow and prevent flow of the heated liquid through said outlet from said liquid passage; 
 an actuating element located outside said dispenser body; 
 a flexible seal positioned between said dispenser body and said actuating element and adapted to prevent the heated liquid from leaking out of said dispenser body; 
 a pivot arm including a first end operatively coupled with said valve element and a second end operatively coupled with said actuating element, wherein said pivot arm extends from said first end through said flexible seal to said second end; and 
 an actuator spaced from said dispenser body such that said actuator is thermally insulated from said dispenser body, said actuator operative to move said actuating element to cause said pivot arm to move said valve element between open and closed positions, thereby selectively controlling flow of the heated liquid through said outlet. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible seal is made from a resilient material that deforms to follow movements of said pivot arm while maintaining a seal against leakage of the heated liquid from said dispenser body. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator includes a solenoid valve operative to control pressurized air for moving said actuating element. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein said actuating element includes a piston located within a pneumatic housing, and said pneumatic housing is positioned between said dispenser body and said actuator. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said pneumatic housing comprises a plastic, thermally insulating material to reduce heat transfer from said dispenser body through said pneumatic housing. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible seal includes an aperture with opposing ends, and said pivot arm extends through said aperture and beyond said opposing ends such that said first end is located in contact with the heated liquid in said dispenser body and said second end is spaced from the heated liquid in said dispenser body. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said valve member moves along a movement axis, said liquid passage is located upstream of a valve seat in said dispenser body, and said liquid passage of said dispenser body is oriented such that the heated liquid flows within said liquid passage in a generally parallel direction to the movement axis.